Patient Testimonials

I cannot fully express my gratitude to Dr. Kelly and his staff for their care of my shoulder injury. I sustained a proximal humerus fracture in a ski accident about one year ago. Dr. Kelly’s diligent approach to my surgery and recovery ensured a return to my pre-accident range. The staff, especially Kaici, treated me with the utmost care and concern at each and every appointment. The communication at every step was clear and concise. I would strongly recommend Dr. Kelly as a surgeon.

I was referred to Dr. Szalapski in November 2017 from a friend. I had total knee replacement in 2019 with very happy results. Dr. Szalapski’s assistant, Jessica, was a huge help. Love her! His team was great and very caring. I’m so happy I could walk again with no pain. I went back again to see him in September 2020 to get my right knee replaced. Tracy, on his team, was awesome and I’m glad that they did not do staples on the incision but glue instead. That healed much faster and looks much better than it would have with staples. Thank you Tracy! I am on my way to a great recovery. Once again, thanks to Dr Szalapski and his team. I also loved the Excel Program! That was the best place ever instead of being in a hospital! There was excellent care and awesome nurses with great, private rooms too!

Dr. Szalapski was brought to my attention by my regular physician. After an unfortunate encounter with an icy freeway in January 2020, I found myself in the ditch at 4:50am, on my way to work. My car was messed up, but I figured out later that my body was also. It started off as a nagging pain in my right hip after I hit black ice, drove into the ditch, and hit my hip on the center console at freeway speed. I had a clinic visit a few days later and after that, tried a cortisone shot, all to no avail. I continued working through the pain, which progressively got worse. Then came the Covid-19 lockdown. Clinics were closed for months for general visits. The pain got to the point where I could barely walk, let alone function at work.

Finally, I was able to see my regular doctor who referred me to Dr. Szalapski at Twin Cities Orthopedics. I was familiar with TCO, as I had a very successful right rotator cuff repair on my shoulder, which has held up GREAT since 2011 (thank you Dr. David Anderson). Now I’ve had a total right hip replacement done by Dr. Szalapski, and so far, I have to say, the quality of his surgical expertise, is remarkable! His bedside manner is impeccable, and he has a great sense of humor on top of it. I couldn’t be happier! Thank you Dr. Szalapski!

I was about 31 when I began having hip issues. Eventually I was referred to Dr. Anseth for full hip replacement. After having twins, then losing 100lbs, the ‘fat’ was what was practically holding my hips together. I was born with hip dysplasia so they basically were not working anymore, surprising they ever did. I was experiencing excruciating bone on bone and arthritis pain. I was 33 or so by the time surgery came around and could barely walk and keep up with my 3 year old twin girls. Both hips on scans did not look good, so I had one hip replacement done. Then about 2 years later, the other hip started doing same as first one.

Dr. Anseth was AMAZING. I have seen where a lot of surgeons have no ‘bed side manner’ and he was what all patients hope for. He was kind, made a point of getting to know me… I actually was being wheeled in at Abbott to have surgery on a broken finger with a different doctor a couple years later and I saw him. As he was getting ready for another patient surgery and he stopped to say hello. Was so nice he remembered me. I am now 42 and have had several surgeries, and Dr. Anseth by far is the very best! Thanks Dr. Anseth.

When I first met Dr. David Anderson, my right shoulder had two surgeries in 6 months. Dr. Anderson looked at my shoulder and said, “First, you have to fix what is bad in the basics, in the foundation of the joint. And then you can fix what’s above.” He explained, “It’s kind of like trying to turn a double play when your 2nd baseman is looking and watching the sunset. You can’t do anything until everyone works on the basics, together.” That was in 2003.

Since that time, Dr. Anderson has worked on a couple of broken things, a few dislocated things, and just been a very good friend. And we’ve talked a LOT of baseball! He even helped with a puzzle in my pain research, because he knew about more sports related toys than anyone else — all for his patients, of course! Dr. Anderson is among the top sports physicians in the United States. We are lucky to have him among the surgeons at TCO. And, he’s a really good guy!

I had an accident about 6 years ago. I wasn’t in a lot of pain but as the years passed, it got worse. Just this year it was so bad that I couldn’t walk, stand, sit or sleep for very long. I was referred to Dr. Hoel and he was an angel! We sat down for a talk and I told him I was past the shot phase and needed surgery. It went great. I am 6 weeks post-surgery and I feel better than my old self! I have recommended him to my sister and daughter. Thank you Dr. Hoel. I can’t say that enough!

I suffered from lower back pain, which gradually went down my legs for over a year. Eventually the pain shooting down my legs was so extensive that I was unable to stand for more than a minute and couldn’t walk without constant pain. I saw Dr. Davis, hoping for some pain relief. We started with physical therapy and then injections but I didn’t get the relief we’d hoped for. The pain was becoming unbearable. By this point, surgery was the last option and I had a bilateral laminectomy. I recently saw Dr. Davis for a three month post-surgery checkup. I told Dr. Davis he was my hero and thanked him profusely because I no longer have pain when I stand or walk. I know that I am very fortunate to have such a successful outcome – and I cannot thank Dr. Davis and his team enough.

I fell and tore my quad tendon in early April. Based on the severity of my injury, a return to 80% functionality was all that I could expect after surgery. Now 5 months later, I’m back to 95% and doing all the things I did before the injury. I couldn’t be happier with the care I received and the outcome of the surgery. I would recommend Dr. Sanders and TCO physical therapy to anyone in need.

After several years of getting Cortisone shots in my right shoulder, I decided to find an Orthopedist recognized for the success on repairing shoulders. In my web’s research, standing out was Dr. Frank Norberg. I got immediate access for the first appointment with plenty flexibility for the ones to follow. Meeting him and his entire team was an excellent experience. The communication at all levels was extraordinary; from the telephone attendants, receptionists, nurses, PT personal and Operating Room’s personal, I found excellent care to solve my problem. From the first appointment to the very last one Dr. Norberg exceeded all my expectations, my rotating cuff was fully repaired as he described, with almost no discomfort. His patience and communication abilities are OUTSTANDING. I am 70 years old fully recovered and thankful to him and the team he has chosen.

I had hip replacement surgery through the EXCEL program in June 2020. I was terrified to have surgery, but in unbearable pain. My life had come to a halt due to limited mobility and pain, so replacement was my only option. Dr. Owen O’Neill offered me reassurance that he “would get me through this” and he did exactly that! The pain following surgery is so much less than the pain before. Every staff I had contact with was professional, kind and compassionate, which put me at ease. Their knowledge and skill was notable. I had PT through TCO after surgery and again, with excellent staff, and I made good progress. Before surgery I did not even get 500 steps a day on my Fitbit, but now I easily get 10-12,000, without using a cane! I can put on my socks and shoes without pain. I can get into my car without intense pain. Sitting, standing, walking and sleeping are all pain-free now. I am eternally grateful to Dr. O’Neill and all the staff at TCO in their clinic and EXCEL program. As a nurse, and as a patient, I would highly recommend Dr. O’Neill and the TCO EXCEL program. I feel like I have my life back again, and this is huge!